A glimpse at Jacqulyn Buglisi's piece, 'Suspended Women.'

On December 3rd the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will open their New York City Center Season. Last week photographer Morrigan McCarthy was allowed a glimpse into the rehearsal process for the Ailey premiere of renowned choreographer Jacqulyn Buglisi's moving piece Suspended Women. The ballet features 12 female dancers dressed in various period costumes; their haunting movements reflecting the strength and struggles of women since the beginning of time. Four male dancers also move throughout the piece, but were not rehearsing on this day.This will be Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 43rd consecutive year performing at the New York City Center. This season is made even more exciting by the awarding, on November 24th, of the Presidential Medal of Freedom (posthumously) to Alvin Ailey, founder of the company.

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Alvin Ailey

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Dancer Hope Boykin warms up.

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Costumes and crinolines hang for dancers to wear while rehearsing.

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Dancer Belen Pereyra prepares for rehearsal.

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A dancer waits for her section of the choreography to begin.

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Each dance has several casts that perform the same work. During rehearsal the “first” cast were teaching their roles to the replacement cast.

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During a dramatic moment in the choreography dancers stand around Belen Pereyra.

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Dancer Hope Boykin teaches Akua Noni Parker her role. One of the benefits of having several casts is that it allows dancers nights off, and provides backups in the event that a dancer is unable to perform.

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Artistic director Robert Battle stops by rehearsal to see the progress being made.

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Dancers receive regular breaks while rehearsing. They’ll often have a snack, get some water, stretch, or just relax for a few minutes.

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Dancers check their phones and relax on a five-minute break.

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Dancer Sarah Daley rests.

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Dancers learn their parts for Suspended Women in pairs.

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The late afternoon sun slips between buildings and fills the studio at the Joan Weill Center for Dance for a few minutes during rehearsal.

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From left to right: dancers Danica Paulos, Rachel McLaren, and Belen Pereyra.

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Dancer Belen Pereyra.

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Dancers Hope Boykin and Akua Noni Parker rehearse together.

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Wardrobe assistant Dante Anthony Baylor shows one of the costumes for Suspended Women.

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